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Sunday, June 6, 2010
Nothing to Attain.
A light on in the house does not change the landscape of the surrounding fields. No matter how bright it shines, or what newly is revealed. The fields are unchanged.There is no shift. Nothing is achieved or attained by the clearer vision. The sun rises the next day, and bugs crawl. All is as it was whether the windows are clear or dirty, or the light is bright or dim.
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5 comments:
So what are you going to do about it?
Regards,
Harry.
How nice for you.
Regards,
Harry.
Cleaning the windows is awesome! Nice post, Lauren! Keep up the good work, bro!
Peace,
Markus
Harry,
It's not really that nice. That was a complete bullshit answer 'cause I was compelled to say something and could not say one true word. To tell the truth I am currently a complete poser Buddhist right now. I can't manage 30 minutes zazen once a day to save my life. I'ts got me fighting with old Mara over what I'm trying to "achieve" with Zazen. It's been baby steps for months now and I haven't even left my house.
I like the "lights in the house" analogy 'cause I think it hits the mark. If I ever get the courage to just jump from the 100 foot pole I expect nothing will be different. It a clear mater of the grey mater.
Hi Lauren,
I forgot that you guys state-side sometimes don't pick up on irony!
;-)
Barry Magid's book ('Ending the Pursuit to Happiness'), although it's a bit post-psychoanalysis, is very much about how we put such expectations on zazen to the extent that we sometimes defeat ourselves.
It makes some very good points (and is a bit waffly at other times).
I like what Kyudo Nakagawa Roshi, in an interview with a Adam Fisher, said one time in answer to a question about this:
Q: Some people would like to improve themselves with spiritual practice, to get better...
Roshi: If the desire to become better disappears, then they will become better.
If sitting half an hour is some big goal or wall, have you tried dropping it and sitting for 10, 15, 20 mins?
People burn themselves out on zazen very easily I think. It's better to sit shorter times but to keep doing it in that case IMO.
Regards,
Harry.
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